Office Hours

Andrew Johnson wraps the first season of Crash Course by tackling David Lynch’s seminal Twin Peaks universe—both seasons of the original TV series and the prequel film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me—alongside returning guests and Lynch devotees Ben and Andy. They recap the season’s earlier episodes, discuss why Twin Peaks is a fitting capstone, and place its original ABC run in historical context, including how audience and network pressure forced major story reveals and contributed to the show’s decline in season two. The group contrasts the TV series’ tonal agility and beloved ensemble (especially Agent Cooper) with Fire Walk with Me’s darker, narrower focus on Laura Palmer, praising Sheryl Lee’s performance while noting the film’s polarized reception. They debate the Red Room mythology, propose definitions of “Lynchian,” and close by reflecting on Lynch’s singular influence and the series’ end. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.film101.club

In this episode of Crash Course, I am joined once again by David Lynch experts Ben Elsener and Andy Stewart to dive in to three more of Lynch’s films often referred to as the L.A. Trilogy: Lost Highway, Mulholland Drive, and Inland Empire. In this episode we explore how Lynch's unique style is applied to the place most famous for film as a medium, and how Hollywood is a perfect place to explore his recurring themes of identity and reality.Our conversation touches on Lynch's use of non-linear storytelling at the tail end of his filmmaking career and how that intersects with how he is coming to grips with the modern technology that arrives around the turn of the 21st century.Here, we go deeper than ever on Lynch's cinematic world-building as a natural segue in to an exploration of his work on television, which we’ll cover in greater detail in our fourth and final episode of the season.Show Notes00:00 Introduction02:43 The LA Trilogy: An Introduction03:26 Lost Highway28:55 Mulholland Drive41:03 Lynch's Hollywood Influences47:15 Dreams and Delusions in Lynch's Films58:32 Inland Empire as a Lynchian Enigma01:04:45 Transcendental Meditation and Lynch's Philosophy01:16:48 Teasing Twin Peaks This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.film101.club

In this episode of Crash Course, I am joined again by Lynch aficionados Ben Elsener and Andy Stewart to go deep on three more films from director David Lynch. The conversation kicks off with Eraserhead, Lynch’s surreal student project that delves into fears of parenthood and intimacy in the strangest possible manner. From there, we transition to Blue Velvet, one of Lynch’s master works, which deals with the themes of evil and how it is intertwined with Americana. Lastly, we discuss The Straight Story, a heartwarming departure from Blue Velvet, featuring Richard Farnsworth. The final film, and really all three of them, epitomize Lynch’s thematic range and interest in simple human kindness as a counterbalance to his interest in the darker side of human nature. Throughout, the episode, we continue to touch on Lynch’s unique creative processes, the way he is fueled by transcendental meditation, and the broader implications of his work, particularly just what the term “Lynchian” means.Show Notes00:00 Introduction 01:41 Introducing the Films: Eraserhead, Blue Velvet, and The Straight Story 03:52 Discussing the Range of David Lynch’s Work 14:47 Diving into Eraserhead26:28 Transition to Blue Velvet33:42 Dennis Hopper’s Iconic Performance36:16 Exploring Evil and Good in Blue Velvet44:03 The Straight Story: A Journey of Kindness and Redemption 01:00:25 David Lynch’s Critique of Hollywood from withinNote: In the middle of the episode, we discuss David Foster Wallace’s impression of David Lynch vis a vis an essay he wrote after visiting him on set. You can find the full essay right here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.film101.club

Season 1, Episode 1: A Gentle(ish) Introduction to David Lynch through Elephant Man, Dune, and Wild at Heart In this episode of 'Crash Course' from Film 101, host Andrew Johnson embarks on a cinematic journey with the films of David Lynch, beginning with The Elephant Man, Dune, and Wild at Heart. Joined by friends Andy Stewart and Ben Elsener, Andrew explores Lynch's unique approach to filmmaking, his fascination with the grotesque, and his use of dream-like narratives. The episode covers the historical context and reception of each film, the recurring themes that define them, and Lynch's idiosyncratic relationship with Hollywood. The discussion also delves into Lynch's inspirations, particularly his obsession with The Wizard of Oz, and the intense emotional authenticity in his works. Concluding with a teaser for the next set of films in the series, the episode sets the stage for a deeper exploration of what makes Lynch's work 'Lynchian.' 00:00 Re-introduction to the Crash Course Podcast 01:37 Meet the Lynch Lovers, Andy Stewart and Ben Elsener 04:25 The Elephant Man as Soft Landing in to the work of Lynch 19:22 Dune: Lynch's Disastrous Sci-fi Epic 34:26 The Unique Dynamic between Lynch and Frequent Collaborators35:21 Comparing David Lynch to Orson Welles 40:32 Wild at Heart: A Deep Dive 48:51 Lynch's Wizard of Oz Obsession 58:17 Lynch vs. Tarantino: A Beginning Comparative Analysis 01:03:23 Looking Ahead to Next Episode This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.film101.club

Introducing Crash CourseIn this introductory episode, Andrew Johnson, the founder of Film 101 announces the launch of a new podcast series titled "Crash Course."The series aims to explore his blind spots in cinema with the help of expert friends. The first season will focus on the enigmatic films of David Lynch, as prompted by the director's recent death. In this introductory teaser, Andrew reflects on Lynch's reputation and his own limited exposure to his work, expressing both excitement and nervousness about the journey ahead. Listeners can expect deep dives into various cinematic topics and guided explorations into new filmic landscapes. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.film101.club